90,000 new auto-taxi permits: State to give women priority

Speaking at a book release event in the city yesterday, the Minister of State for Transport Sachin Ahir said, “First preference would be given to widowed women across the state. Then differently-abled women would be considered next, subsequently others would follow.”

On August 3, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had announced that 26,000 dead auto-taxi permits would be revived in the city, and sources claim that 10 per cent of these permits would be reserved for women.

A L Quadros, Taxi Union leader, claimed that male taxi drivers would welcome the precedence for women. “We have no problem with women being given permits to ply autos and taxis. Instead we welcome the government’s move on the same.”

There is also a demand from mill workers who say that they should be given preference for permits. The transport minister said that he is aware of the demand and would pursue the request with the state government. The state also plans to phase out 4,500 taxis that are over 20-years-old.